In quantum tunneling, the probability of finding an electron inside the potential barrier is non zero . So we can actually find an electron which had an energy $E$ in a place where classically it should have an energy bigger than $E$.
So if we find an electron in this potential barrier what will its energy be ?
The energy of the electron is conserved so its $E$ and the fact that its $KE \lt 0$ is just a weird fact of quantum mechanics. (I don't like this answer)
Since we know the electron is there we can treat it as a classical particle and because of that it's energy has rose to a value bigger than the potential of the potential barrier. The energy of the electron is not conserved unless the electron manages to pick up energy from nowhere.
These are the answers I have in mind, I'm practically sure none of them is correct ...
So how can we interpret this fact from an energy point of view ?The question may be silly but I'm just beginning quantum mechanics and I'm having a difficult time trying to understand it.
I hope someone can help me.
(Sorry for my bad english)